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India, Chennai: With the rising prices of sand and cement hindering building construct­ion works across the state, a raw material ma­nufacturer launched on Saturday, a special varie­ty of gypsum which they claim can substit­ute for sand and cement.

The product called ‘Gy­psum plaster one coat’ introduced by the manufacturer ‘Build On’ is im­ported from Iran. “Imp­urities and adulteration in sand are a cause of concern among builders while there is no chance of gypsum being imp­ure,” said Mr R. Raje­nd­ran, sales manager, Sig­nature Lifestyles Private Limited, distributors of Build On gypsum in TN.

He added that the product could be easily bo­ught in the market unli­ke sand, in these days. However the material can be used only for interior wall works and ceili­ng decorations, as gyps­um does not endure ro­ugh weather conditions when used for exterior works.

“We are designing ot­her products which can be used for exterior wo­rks also, but Build On gy­psum can resist any condition on interior walls and ceilings,” Mr Rajen­dran said. “Cracks will not form at any time and the finishing will be smooth,” he added.

“We are trying to promote it to architects and builders through vario­us programmes. But so­u­th India is known for accepting things at a slo­wer pace, so also the pro­d­uct,” said Mr Nirmal. K. Dhiran, director of Si­g­nature Lifestyles. “But we are encourag­ed by builders in Che­n­nai as a 80 lakh sq ft project at Manapakkam is expected to use gypsum soon.”